BRASÍLIA (Reuters) – Brazil’s subsequent authorities is working to strike a deal between farmers and truckers over minimal freight costs by revising the coverage, moderately than throwing it out as many have demanded, the nation’s future infrastructure minister stated on Friday.

Brazil’s President-elect Jair Bolsonaro reacts as he speaks to media on the Military Headquarters in Brasilia, Brazil December 5, 2018. REUTERS/Adriano Machado

The minimal freight charges have been imposed as a part of a deal to finish a truckers strike in Might that crippled the international locations roadways, stopping meals and different important objects from making it to market.

Farmers and commodities merchants have complained that the coverage raises their prices at a time when revenue margins within the enterprise are already falling.

“At first, we’re going to cope with the minimal freight desk with care. We plan to revise the costs, however we’re going to encourage the market to make use of it,” stated Tarcisio Freitas, the longer term infrastructure minister below President-elect Jair Bolsonaro.

Freitas stated the transition group is talking with all events concerned within the truck freight difficulty with the goal of resolving it within the first month of the brand new authorities in January.

The minimal truck freight desk was set by the present authorities of President Michel Temer as one of many measures to finish a truckers nation-wide strike that started over rising diesel costs.

Farm teams have gone to courts attempting to knock it down. On Thursday, Brazil’s Supreme Court docket granted an injunction to stop the federal government from fining corporations that don’t adjust to the minimal freight charges.

The longer term minister stated he hopes that with an anticipated enchancment of the financial system, demand for items transportation will rise and enhance profitability for truckers, taking off the monetary strain they have been below earlier this yr.

Bolsonaro was well-liked amongst truckers, with many inserting stickers for the then-candidate on their autos.

However the President-elect additionally obtained sturdy backing from farmers, inserting his authorities in a troublesome scenario relating to the freight difficulty.

Most transportation of products is finished by roads in Brazil, giving truckers main bargaining energy.

Further reporting and writing by Marcelo Teixeira; modifying by Jonathan Oatis and Diane Craft